No debate as Boden put one hand on Clery Cup with super first half display

Niall Scully
– 02 November 2015 02:30 AM

Ballyboden St Endas players celebrate with the cup in the dressing room

A mighty crowd in the theatre. Great expectations.

The atmosphere crackled. Conditions were perfect.

The lights came on early. And everybody could see that St Vincent's were in trouble.

Boden were not the favoured ones. They needed a brisk start. They got it. And they never let up.

And from the first pages, Boden's name was written on the Clery Cup.

There was just intensity to their play. And everything they touched was turning to crystal.

"Ballyboden turned up more than we did, to be honest," said Vincent's selector, Neil Curran.

"They imposed themselves on the game from the start, and we found it hard to get into the match.

"We found it hard to get scores. We have to acknowledge that Boden were the better side on the day.

"This is Boden's day. Full credit to them. They were in control all over the park."

Boden selector, Finian Hyland, also stated that the opening to the hour proved critical.

"It was a tremendous performance. The lads showed great heart.

"They are a wonderful panel. It was a work in progress. Andy (McEntee) deserves so much praise.

"It was a work in progress. We set off in January of last year. We came up short against St Vincent's in the semi-final last season, but here we are now as champions." Ryan Basquel struck a couple of points that came fresh out of the oven.

And then there was the goal. Palmed in at the score-board end by Andrew Kerin, the scoring hero when they last took the title in 2009.

Boden were playing like a team that had knocked out the heavyweights, Kilmacud Crokes and Plunkett's.

Vins trailed by 1-5 to no score after just 13 minutes. And they didn't send their first email until the 22nd minute through Gavin Burke.

But just as quickly, Aran Waters steamed down the right and arrowed over one of the points of the hour.

Plenty to chat about over the kit kats. Ciaran Whelan and Jonny Magee were in the RTE commentary box.

Barry Cahill looked across at them from the gantry. And as he walked to the dressing-room, Tommy Conroy took a drop of water and contemplated his thoughts.

Vincent's required a sharp opening to lift their confidence. But Kerin's early second half penalty made the hill even steeper.

And now Leinster is calling next Sunday when Boden head for Drogheda to tackle St Patrick's.

"It's a short turn-around, but we don't mind that. We have the momentum now," added Finian.